Relief From Grief

​Loss touches us all at some point in our lives. Whether it’s the ending of a relationship, a job, the loss of a beloved pet, or a loved one it can be unsettling. It can re-shape us, it may change our entire world. Loss is part of life – it is inevitable. 

 

With loss comes grief – this is the price we pay for connection, for attachment, for having allowed another person to matter deeply. When someone dies what hurts is not only their absence, it’s also the sudden disruption of the shared world we had built with them. The conversations unfinished, the routines interrupted, the future that will unfold differently.

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Grief shows up in many ways. While it is a universal emotion, it is also deeply personal. How we grieve is unique to each one of us – there is no right or wrong way, there is only your way.

 

It can show up as tears, feelings of confusion, anger, guilt, feeling numb, or even in unexpected (and surprising) moments of laughter as we remember the good times together.

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There is more to grief than just sadness, it’s not linear – it recedes and returns. It can be triggered / activated by a smell, a song, a day or a date. In time it usually eases, its sharp edges soften. The searing pain often becomes a quieter ache, no longer all-consuming but a quiet presence.

To grieve is to remember. These memories become treasures. The love doesn’t die: it transforms. Grief is often described as love with no place to go. What is important is to be gentle with yourself following any loss. Let others be there for you, if this helps. Meaningful connections can benefit when navigating the often rocky terrain of grief. Being patient with yourself is important as acceptance comes in small increments.

Remembering to have compassion for ourselves and each other helps us reach a place where we can remember with more love than pain.